Policy Overview

OAC 340:50-11-64 allows SNAP benefits to be replaced when purchased food is lost because of a “household misfortune.” This can include power outages caused by ice storms, severe weather, flooding, or other disasters.

Food lost because of appliance failure is not eligible unless the failure is caused by a qualifying event (for example, a storm-related outage).

Reporting Lost Food

When a SNAP household reports food loss due to a power outage or similar event, staff must:

• Document the household’s statement in FACS case notes;
• Tell the household a completed and signed Destroyed Food Benefits Form must be completed.
• Make sure the completed form is received within 10 calendar days of the reported loss

Form Submission Options

• The household may get the form online or request it by mail if they do not have internet access
  • Completed paper forms must be uploaded to OnBase when received
  • If submitted electronically, the form will automatically upload to OnBase when completed

Worker-Assisted Completion

If the household gives verbal permission, staff may complete the form for the client during a phone call. Staff must:

• Document in Case Notes
  • Who called to report the food loss
  • How identity was verified
  • Why an eligibility worker completed the form for the household
• Use a valid work email address when completing and submitting the form electronically for the household

Note: Electronically submitted forms are automatically uploaded to OnBase and a task is created in “Current.” If the replacement is completed at the time of the request, the “Current” task must be cancelled to avoid creating duplicate tasks.

Verification Requirements

Staff must confirm that food loss happened due to household misfortune or disaster.  Acceptable verification may include:

• Utility outage reports or outage maps
  • Official weather alerts or warnings
  • News reports about storms, flooding, or disasters in the area

Power Outage Guidance

Power outages lasting more than 12 hours usually support replacement. This is a guideline only. Requests must not be denied only because the outage was less than 12 hours. Staff must document the household’s statement and review all facts before deciding.

Eligibility Requirement

The household must have an active SNAP balance at the time of the loss to qualify for replacement.

Determining Replacement Amount

Replacement is based on what the household reports, within these limits:

• Cannot exceed one full month’s SNAP allotment
  • If SNAP was received in the prior month, use that amount as the maximum
  • If no prior month benefits or a reduced amount was received, use the current month’s benefit as the maximum

Issuing Replacement Benefits

Replacement benefits must be issued using the FSRP transaction.

To be timely, the replacement must be issued within 10 calendar days of the reported loss or within two business days of receiving the completed form, whichever is later.

Denial or Ineligibility Handling

There is no formal denial process for these requests.  If benefits cannot be issued, the worker must:

• Record the reason in FACS case notes
  • Include the date of the request
  • Clearly explain why replacement benefits were not issued